It's Like Playing Real Drums For Days Without Sleep, But Not
January 10, 2009 10:44 PM Subscribe
Remember the Mario Marathon? Child's play. These guys are playing through every song available for the game Rock Band, in a row, without sleep. That's 539 songs. 48 hours in and they are only 347 tunes down. This isn't just pushing buttons, this is taking sticks to drumpads rapidly for days straight. At what point is this no longer a game, but an obsession?
After just playing for a couple hours, my vision gets totally fucked, with everything rising upward. I can imagine that these guys won't be able to walk straight or drive a car safely for a week.
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:04 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:04 PM on January 10, 2009
Oh please spare me! I played through every single song in rock band over a weekend this fall, and we did it after a full day of paintball and lots and lots of drinks. Though our lineup did have people drop in and out of it over the course of the day...
posted by illuminatus at 11:10 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by illuminatus at 11:10 PM on January 10, 2009
It's actually kinda fun to watch. I'm not sure the drummer is going to make it much longer though.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 11:22 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by the christopher hundreds at 11:22 PM on January 10, 2009
Just heard the guitarist say that the drummer has been awake for 42 hours. This is actually crazy, one of them is going to pass out.
posted by tracert at 11:32 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by tracert at 11:32 PM on January 10, 2009
At what point is this no longer a game, but an obsession?
LOL What?
posted by delmoi at 11:37 PM on January 10, 2009
LOL What?
posted by delmoi at 11:37 PM on January 10, 2009
Pah. The Mario Marathon guys left out the Lost Levels. Probably because they easily would have added another month.... But it's still weak!
posted by kaibutsu at 11:40 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by kaibutsu at 11:40 PM on January 10, 2009
I agree with Saxon Kane. I can only take about four hours max, or my eyes go criss-cross and hands start hurting. Doing this is INSANE. And kind of geek cool.
posted by gemmy at 11:49 PM on January 10, 2009
posted by gemmy at 11:49 PM on January 10, 2009
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10, 2009 [11 favorites]
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10, 2009 [11 favorites]
At what point is this no longer a game, but an obsession?
posted by Effigy2000 at 12:12 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Effigy2000 at 12:12 AM on January 11, 2009
The drums guy is really tired. They just finished "I'm a freak," and he doesn't look like he wants to keep going at all.
posted by roll truck roll at 12:18 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by roll truck roll at 12:18 AM on January 11, 2009
I wonder if they realize in that amount of time they could totally beat Dragon Quest 8, including all of the side quests, the monster arena battles, make all of the good weapons and armor in the alchemy pot and finish the Dragovian Trials. I scoff, I really do.
posted by stavrogin at 12:20 AM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by stavrogin at 12:20 AM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10 [+] [!]
Guy from Nickelback, is that you?
posted by cerulgalactus at 12:22 AM on January 11, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10 [+] [!]
Guy from Nickelback, is that you?
posted by cerulgalactus at 12:22 AM on January 11, 2009 [5 favorites]
The comments on the streaming site...yikes:
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : These guys aren't jews, are they?
00:02 Lady1nR3d : um
00:02 ustreamer-17432> I dont like
posted by retronic at 1:06 AM on January 11, 2009
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : These guys aren't jews, are they?
00:02 Lady1nR3d : um
00:02 ustreamer-17432> I dont like
posted by retronic at 1:06 AM on January 11, 2009
grr, preview liked my post. I'll try again:
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : These guys aren't jews, are they?
00:02 Lady1nR3d : um
00:02 ustreamer-17432 I dont like censored : music
00:02 Izam : Nope, russian and germany, they're clean.
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : Ah ok, cool
00:02 Izam : german*
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : That's the opposite of jew!
01:03 KCpwnsGMAN : song 364 of 539
01:03 dbx21 : well there were german jews at one time
01:03 Lady1nR3d : they are 39 hrs into it
01:03 ustreamer-17432 : Heh not any more
posted by retronic at 1:06 AM on January 11, 2009
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : These guys aren't jews, are they?
00:02 Lady1nR3d : um
00:02 ustreamer-17432 I dont like censored : music
00:02 Izam : Nope, russian and germany, they're clean.
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : Ah ok, cool
00:02 Izam : german*
00:02 ustreamer-17432 : That's the opposite of jew!
01:03 KCpwnsGMAN : song 364 of 539
01:03 dbx21 : well there were german jews at one time
01:03 Lady1nR3d : they are 39 hrs into it
01:03 ustreamer-17432 : Heh not any more
posted by retronic at 1:06 AM on January 11, 2009
The comments on the streaming site...yikes
Internet Fuckwad Theory
posted by tracert at 1:11 AM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Internet Fuckwad Theory
posted by tracert at 1:11 AM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
Y'know, there are chicks out there who would be swayed into bed by their video game prowess. Not all forms of seduction involve South African warblers and a dude in dreads playing the saxello.
I, on the other hand, could use Rock Band as birth control. My wife = not impressed by my pretend drum skills.
posted by incessant at 1:15 AM on January 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
Y'know, there are chicks out there who would be swayed into bed by their video game prowess. Not all forms of seduction involve South African warblers and a dude in dreads playing the saxello.
I, on the other hand, could use Rock Band as birth control. My wife = not impressed by my pretend drum skills.
posted by incessant at 1:15 AM on January 11, 2009 [4 favorites]
Newsflash: Late at night, people on the internet who spend their time commenting on live streaming video of college kids they don't know playing a video game tend to not discuss Descartes, Knuth or even Bob Ross and instead rely on snark with racist overtones...
Ofcourse, there's a second newsflash:
Late at night, people on the internet who spend their time commenting on commentators commenting on live streaming video of college kids noone involved know... tend to just snark...
posted by Nanukthedog at 1:20 AM on January 11, 2009
Ofcourse, there's a second newsflash:
Late at night, people on the internet who spend their time commenting on commentators commenting on live streaming video of college kids noone involved know... tend to just snark...
posted by Nanukthedog at 1:20 AM on January 11, 2009
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
Who wants to sleep with Dave Matthews fans?
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:21 AM on January 11, 2009 [11 favorites]
Who wants to sleep with Dave Matthews fans?
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:21 AM on January 11, 2009 [11 favorites]
It's like a window into hell
posted by longsleeves at 1:23 AM on January 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by longsleeves at 1:23 AM on January 11, 2009 [3 favorites]
I contest the use of the labels "Guitarist" or "Drummer" for these people.
posted by signal at 3:36 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by signal at 3:36 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
It's kinda cool. I prefer the more genuine masochism of Desert Bus for Hope.
They raised over 70 grand with 5 days, 5 hours, 5 minutes of uninterrupted playing of Desert Bus (wiki).
The objective of the game is to drive a bus from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada in real time at a maximum speed of 45mph, a feat that would take the player 8 hours of continuous play to complete, as the game cannot be paused.
That takes fortitude. At least Rock Band is fun.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:41 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
They raised over 70 grand with 5 days, 5 hours, 5 minutes of uninterrupted playing of Desert Bus (wiki).
The objective of the game is to drive a bus from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada in real time at a maximum speed of 45mph, a feat that would take the player 8 hours of continuous play to complete, as the game cannot be paused.
That takes fortitude. At least Rock Band is fun.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:41 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
That takes fortitude. At least Rock Band is fun.
I just opened the video stream and by the looks on their faces, it seems that after 397 songs it's not fun anymore.
posted by darkripper at 5:21 AM on January 11, 2009
I just opened the video stream and by the looks on their faces, it seems that after 397 songs it's not fun anymore.
posted by darkripper at 5:21 AM on January 11, 2009
A valid point. Thgouh maybe it's better to have something you hate from minute one so there is no fear of ceasing to enjoy it...
posted by slimepuppy at 6:24 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by slimepuppy at 6:24 AM on January 11, 2009
I watched song #406 (I think? It was called "Where'd you go?"), and the drummer was actually head banging along while he wasn't drumming! Tired? No way, they're definitely gonna finish.
posted by Corduroy at 6:40 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Corduroy at 6:40 AM on January 11, 2009
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
I'm trying to decide if this comment is the opposite or exactly what I expect from a sociology major.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:06 AM on January 11, 2009
I'm trying to decide if this comment is the opposite or exactly what I expect from a sociology major.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:06 AM on January 11, 2009
I think they didn't order the songs from hardest to easiest, which led to me watching them just barely beating Green Grass and High Tides (#415) after one retry and a few saves. I was like, "hell yes!!!" when they finally finished it, because goddamn, that fucking song. But they really risked going into an infinite-retry loop on such a hard song on so little sleep. I spent a whole fucking evening trying to beat that song, and I was on Medium for christ's sake! Fuck that song!
posted by breath at 8:01 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by breath at 8:01 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
tracert: "Just heard the guitarist say that the drummer has been awake for 42 hours. This is actually crazy, one of them is going to pass out."
Randy Gardner went 264 hours (11 days) without sleep in 1964. He was able to beat one of the researchers at pinball at the end of that period. (Although all that proves is that sleep researchers really suck at pinball.)
posted by Plutor at 8:11 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Randy Gardner went 264 hours (11 days) without sleep in 1964. He was able to beat one of the researchers at pinball at the end of that period. (Although all that proves is that sleep researchers really suck at pinball.)
posted by Plutor at 8:11 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
(Note that Guinness stopped publishing world records for sleep deprivation in 1989, for much the same reason they stopped tracking alcohol-related records a couple years later. They didn't want to get sued by the estate of an overly-ambitious record seeker.)
posted by Plutor at 8:15 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Plutor at 8:15 AM on January 11, 2009
I just spent five minutes watching the live video - the drummer seems ok, the guy on guitar is kind of sobbing a little and mumbling "oh god it hurts" repeatedly.
posted by schwa at 8:32 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by schwa at 8:32 AM on January 11, 2009
Huh.. 418 was some song called 'Get your rock on'.. at the end they both flatly mumbled 'Get Your Rock On' with the song and then the drummer goes to a computer monitor to read the comments still mumbling 'Get Your Rock On'.
posted by xorry at 8:36 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by xorry at 8:36 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Man, that drummer is going to have some wicked blisters tomorrow.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:53 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by uncleozzy at 8:53 AM on January 11, 2009
They look so exhausted I winced from looking at them.
posted by orange swan at 8:54 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by orange swan at 8:54 AM on January 11, 2009
I did the Endless Setlist 2 on drums last weekend and thought I was going into a coma around the 6 hour mark. Can't imagine what I'd be at the 48 hour mark.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:57 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:57 AM on January 11, 2009
Wow. Wish I'd tuned in earlier. They're on 439 right now. I could have had them on as background while I did stuff around home but now I have to go out.
And the most important element of the fpp description was left out -- playing on expert. That's crazy. They could sleepwalk through a lot of the list on medium, but man.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:12 AM on January 11, 2009
And the most important element of the fpp description was left out -- playing on expert. That's crazy. They could sleepwalk through a lot of the list on medium, but man.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:12 AM on January 11, 2009
424 rather. They have quite a lot to go.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:23 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:23 AM on January 11, 2009
Heh, I thought "Child's Play" was an unlinked reference to Penny Arcade's Child's Play Charity, and I was set to rant about how this is for the good of sick kids (like Mario Marathon and Desert Bus). Nope, it's just two guys playing 539 Rock Band (2) songs on expert level. Yeah, it's more obsession or fixation than anything else. They have special mods to make it easier to play, which a purist could say is cheating. (To which I'd say, no one else really minds.)
As for the usual comment that "these aren't real instruments," I'll throw back the usual "have you tried playing the game?" I tried drums on easy, and I really over-estimated my ability to keep a simple rhythm going.
And where does this quiet Jew-hate come from, which pops up on game forums and YouTube comments? Is the threat of The Jews repeated amongst school kids everywhere?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:32 AM on January 11, 2009
As for the usual comment that "these aren't real instruments," I'll throw back the usual "have you tried playing the game?" I tried drums on easy, and I really over-estimated my ability to keep a simple rhythm going.
And where does this quiet Jew-hate come from, which pops up on game forums and YouTube comments? Is the threat of The Jews repeated amongst school kids everywhere?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:32 AM on January 11, 2009
Do they realize in that amount of time you could learn "Satellite," get laid, play through all of Dragon Quest 8 while she's sleeping, watch her leave in disgust without saying a word, skip showering, go out to a coffee shop to sit and drink coffee and think, contemplate all of your meaningless life during an anxiety attack, go home and cook some ramen, play a few songs of Rock Band in a futile attempt to feel better, sit down to work on a sociology paper then decide you're not motivated, have another coffee, then learn "Crash Into Me" and sob quietly to yourself before putting on your coat to go pick up another undergrad at an open mic night?
posted by naju at 9:56 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by naju at 9:56 AM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Green Grass and High Tides is actually a really easy to song to play on expert (if you're at that level), but I did hit a wall trying to beat it on medium the first time through.
posted by empath at 10:19 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by empath at 10:19 AM on January 11, 2009
anyone know if someone has built an nes controller that contains in the controller hundreds of nes games. it should also have usb plug at the end of it to plug into any pc to start playing. if this hasn't been built, it should be.
posted by johnferg99 at 12:12 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by johnferg99 at 12:12 PM on January 11, 2009
As for the usual comment that "these aren't real instruments," I'll throw back the usual "have you tried playing the game?" I tried drums on easy, and I really over-estimated my ability to keep a simple rhythm going
They're still only passingly similar to the instruments they represent. They teach you some of the basic dexterity required; none of the theory; nor the ability to truly 'play' the instrument. The drums would be the closest to the real deal but still miss the mark.
Not being incredibly easy doesn't mean it's anything like actually playing an instrument. So no, he's not a "guitarist", he's basically playing whack-a-mole on something that looks like a guitar.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:19 PM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
They're still only passingly similar to the instruments they represent. They teach you some of the basic dexterity required; none of the theory; nor the ability to truly 'play' the instrument. The drums would be the closest to the real deal but still miss the mark.
Not being incredibly easy doesn't mean it's anything like actually playing an instrument. So no, he's not a "guitarist", he's basically playing whack-a-mole on something that looks like a guitar.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:19 PM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Green Grass and High Tides is actually a really easy to song to play on expert (if you're at that level), but I did hit a wall trying to beat it on medium the first time through.
I consider myself fairly high tier but Green Grass and High Tides and Visions are the only two non-downloaded songs I can't complete in Expert on the guitar. I haven't tried much of the expansions. There is something about the last part of the second solo that I can't soldier through.
I've been watching these two stuck on some song for about five tries now and it looks pretty painful.
posted by Octoparrot at 12:30 PM on January 11, 2009
I consider myself fairly high tier but Green Grass and High Tides and Visions are the only two non-downloaded songs I can't complete in Expert on the guitar. I haven't tried much of the expansions. There is something about the last part of the second solo that I can't soldier through.
I've been watching these two stuck on some song for about five tries now and it looks pretty painful.
posted by Octoparrot at 12:30 PM on January 11, 2009
Oh, I was talking about drums for GG&HT.
I would like to step up to defend rock band drums as 'real'. You aren't going to learn complex drum rolls, most likely, but you'll definitely have to learn rudiments, sticking, and proper stick grip to play songs on expert with any level of skill.
And you'll internalize song structure playing any of the instruments, I think. Especially time signatures. You may not know the right names for various patterns, but you will learn to recognize them.
posted by empath at 12:38 PM on January 11, 2009
I would like to step up to defend rock band drums as 'real'. You aren't going to learn complex drum rolls, most likely, but you'll definitely have to learn rudiments, sticking, and proper stick grip to play songs on expert with any level of skill.
And you'll internalize song structure playing any of the instruments, I think. Especially time signatures. You may not know the right names for various patterns, but you will learn to recognize them.
posted by empath at 12:38 PM on January 11, 2009
And you'll internalize song structure playing any of the instruments, I think. Especially time signatures. You may not know the right names for various patterns, but you will learn to recognize them.
Like I said, the basic dexterity, sure. The drums more-so than any of the others. You're still missing out on the fact that you're learning to play via a very forgiving metronome / electronic drum kit, that isn't really giving you any context. You'll learn to recognize the patterns but you're not really going to have any understanding of how to use it, or why it works.
I have no issues w/electronic drum kits, but there's a lot to be said for the difference between an electronic kit and real set of drums. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that even the best Rock Band drummer (with no 'real' drum experience) would be humbled by even a basic Yamaha starter drum kit.
That said, and so I don't come off as swilling too much Haterade(tm), I still appreciate anything that furthers people's interest in possibly learning to play the real thing.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:59 PM on January 11, 2009
Like I said, the basic dexterity, sure. The drums more-so than any of the others. You're still missing out on the fact that you're learning to play via a very forgiving metronome / electronic drum kit, that isn't really giving you any context. You'll learn to recognize the patterns but you're not really going to have any understanding of how to use it, or why it works.
I have no issues w/electronic drum kits, but there's a lot to be said for the difference between an electronic kit and real set of drums. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that even the best Rock Band drummer (with no 'real' drum experience) would be humbled by even a basic Yamaha starter drum kit.
That said, and so I don't come off as swilling too much Haterade(tm), I still appreciate anything that furthers people's interest in possibly learning to play the real thing.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:59 PM on January 11, 2009
Christ, I click on the stream and they're playing "Get a Little Mud on the tires" which is a goddamn country song.
I used to work at a subway where the radio was constantly tuned into the local top 40 country station, and I heard this song several times a shift. During a particularly gruesome week, I started hearing the song in my ears like when people hear voices.
Did I meantion I hate country music?
posted by hellojed at 1:45 PM on January 11, 2009
I used to work at a subway where the radio was constantly tuned into the local top 40 country station, and I heard this song several times a shift. During a particularly gruesome week, I started hearing the song in my ears like when people hear voices.
Did I meantion I hate country music?
posted by hellojed at 1:45 PM on January 11, 2009
Real midi kit you say?
Real drums you say?
Considering those are two different people, one of them obviously being a legit drummer, I don't know what you're trying to prove. Show me guy #1 in front of a real kit, without Rock Band to tell him what to hit, and when, and we'll see where he ends up.
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:00 PM on January 11, 2009
Real drums you say?
Considering those are two different people, one of them obviously being a legit drummer, I don't know what you're trying to prove. Show me guy #1 in front of a real kit, without Rock Band to tell him what to hit, and when, and we'll see where he ends up.
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:00 PM on January 11, 2009
Oh, and please don't confuse my comments regarding RockBand as being made regarding midi drum kits in general. I'm simply speak to the context of what Rock Band does / doesn't teach.
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:03 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:03 PM on January 11, 2009
The legit drummer, though, is playing EXACTLY the note chart from the game.
I've been playing the game for 6 months and I can't get through that song on expert, but if I could, I could sit down in front of a kit and play it. The songs that I CAN play on expert, I could sit in front of a real kit and play right now. I've done it. I'm no good at improvising, but I can definitely play a standard rock back beat and a lot of easy fills and rolls. I couldn't have done that without playing the game, obviously.
posted by empath at 2:11 PM on January 11, 2009
I've been playing the game for 6 months and I can't get through that song on expert, but if I could, I could sit down in front of a kit and play it. The songs that I CAN play on expert, I could sit in front of a real kit and play right now. I've done it. I'm no good at improvising, but I can definitely play a standard rock back beat and a lot of easy fills and rolls. I couldn't have done that without playing the game, obviously.
posted by empath at 2:11 PM on January 11, 2009
Heh, I came in just as-- gasp-- they missed one, going straight from 460 to 462. The entire chat room is holding their breath.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 2:57 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 2:57 PM on January 11, 2009
That's fortitude. Meaningless, but still. Their choice is odd, but they are going the whole 539 yards.
posted by flippant at 3:08 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by flippant at 3:08 PM on January 11, 2009
They went back for #461 ("The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails). They also gave us a very sleepy shout-out: "...we're on Metafilter?"
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 3:12 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 3:12 PM on January 11, 2009
Do they realize in that amount of time they could learn how to play Dave Matthew's "Satellite" on a real guitar well enough to get themselves laid?
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10 [+] [!]
Yes, but this is cool and interesting.
(sorry, I'm going through a meta-hater phase. It's just, the everything-you-do-should-be-driven-by-desire-to-get-people-to-sleep-with-you trope is 1) played, 2) completely beneath someone cool enough to name themselves after the best character on NewsRadio).
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:49 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by JimmyJames at 11:56 PM on January 10 [+] [!]
Yes, but this is cool and interesting.
(sorry, I'm going through a meta-hater phase. It's just, the everything-you-do-should-be-driven-by-desire-to-get-people-to-sleep-with-you trope is 1) played, 2) completely beneath someone cool enough to name themselves after the best character on NewsRadio).
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:49 PM on January 11, 2009
They just said that each of them is at about 60 consecutive hours awake. Wow.
posted by aliasless at 6:10 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by aliasless at 6:10 PM on January 11, 2009
I love these guys.
posted by unknowncommand at 6:32 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 6:32 PM on January 11, 2009
I've been playing the game for 6 months and I can't get through that song on expert, but if I could, I could sit down in front of a kit and play it. The songs that I CAN play on expert, I could sit in front of a real kit and play right now.
So there's obviously a difference. Thus, my only real point... Thanks, I guess.... Obviously it's going to give some assistance in learning percussion, as far as dexterity and memorization goes.
But improvisation is one of the key parts of music; it means you've reached a level of understanding where it's more than sheer wrote memorization.
posted by Dark Messiah at 7:29 PM on January 11, 2009
So there's obviously a difference. Thus, my only real point... Thanks, I guess.... Obviously it's going to give some assistance in learning percussion, as far as dexterity and memorization goes.
But improvisation is one of the key parts of music; it means you've reached a level of understanding where it's more than sheer wrote memorization.
posted by Dark Messiah at 7:29 PM on January 11, 2009
Things seems to be crashing and burning at song 483. At least we got to "Epic"...
posted by unknowncommand at 8:44 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 8:44 PM on January 11, 2009
Looks like the video went down somehow...
posted by Defenestrator at 8:50 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by Defenestrator at 8:50 PM on January 11, 2009
Aaaand back up, they're nearing the end.
posted by Defenestrator at 9:08 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by Defenestrator at 9:08 PM on January 11, 2009
Back up! The video went down and all these tech kids were troubleshooting it in the forum. Pinging ports and whatnot. I'll make it to 500, but then bed.
posted by unknowncommand at 9:28 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 9:28 PM on January 11, 2009
Apparently they're on 499 now? They've messed up a couple times.
posted by roll truck roll at 10:17 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by roll truck roll at 10:17 PM on January 11, 2009
That was a whole lotta Whole Lotta Rosie at 499...
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:32 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:32 PM on January 11, 2009
Passed #499 on the 8th attempt. They have been playing for 65 hours. That was a close one, I thought No Hat Guy had hit the wall for sure when he was lying on the ground. Number 500 now.
Man, drama.
posted by tracert at 10:32 PM on January 11, 2009
Man, drama.
posted by tracert at 10:32 PM on January 11, 2009
I liked how the guitarist got on and ripped through the song on drums, then the drummer came back and played through without a problem. I don't know if it was inspiration, or just a "Fuck no, you are not going to show me up like that". At any rate, on to 500 and beyond!
posted by team lowkey at 10:36 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 10:36 PM on January 11, 2009
Yeah, Whole Lotta Rosie was insane. Poor kids. I swear that one was dead on the floor.
posted by unknowncommand at 10:40 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 10:40 PM on January 11, 2009
I'd almost consider staying up the rest of the night until they finish it, sort of a symbolic act of solidarity, but then I remember that I like to sleep...
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:44 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:44 PM on January 11, 2009
Looks like Jesus Christ Pose is going to kick their ass as well. Four tries and they haven't even made it to the vocals.
posted by team lowkey at 11:37 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 11:37 PM on January 11, 2009
Yeah 15 minutes later and they still haven't gotten through a minute of it. Yikes.
posted by Defenestrator at 11:53 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by Defenestrator at 11:53 PM on January 11, 2009
I think they've bailed.
posted by inpHilltr8r at 12:22 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by inpHilltr8r at 12:22 AM on January 12, 2009
Food break. They did fail at JCP for about 40 minutes before breaking. Hopefully they'll do better when they return. There's even harder songs after that one.
posted by team lowkey at 12:32 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 12:32 AM on January 12, 2009
They're supposedly eating Wendy's, but I say after two and a half days no sleep a cheeseburger would look mighty comfortable to me as well.
posted by Defenestrator at 12:32 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by Defenestrator at 12:32 AM on January 12, 2009
Still stuck on JCP. I don't think they're going to make it, but I'm downloading the song and trying it right now, in their honour.
WE SHALL OVERCOME
posted by tracert at 1:24 AM on January 12, 2009
WE SHALL OVERCOME
posted by tracert at 1:24 AM on January 12, 2009
Oh dear. Looks like the guitarist done for. Passed out for a few minutes and can't get back in the game. They need to do something to rally. Playing the first 30 seconds of this song over and over isn't getting them anywhere.
posted by team lowkey at 1:27 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 1:27 AM on January 12, 2009
I can't watch any more. It's just so sad watching the little drum marker slide down the scale. He just fundamentally can't get the pattern going. I'd suggest chemicals, but at this point it looks like he's already past that stage.
OMG PRACTICE MODE!
posted by inpHilltr8r at 1:29 AM on January 12, 2009
OMG PRACTICE MODE!
posted by inpHilltr8r at 1:29 AM on January 12, 2009
About time he slowed it down to practice. I think it's his only chance at this point. Or just skip it for now.
posted by team lowkey at 1:30 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 1:30 AM on January 12, 2009
I think the drummer may be stuck on Jesus Christ Pose. It doesn't look like he's going to pick up the fundamental rhythm, which will be a problem because it lasts for almost all 6 minutes of the song.
posted by strangecargo at 2:23 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by strangecargo at 2:23 AM on January 12, 2009
I've got to bail on them. I wonder if they realize they've been stalled out on this song for almost 3 hours (when there's only like 2 hours of content left). The guitarist did completely give up and say he was going to sleep at some point in there, but then some stranger called him and he perked up a bit. Now he's showering, but that's not going to help the drummer get through this wall he's bashing his head against.
posted by team lowkey at 2:24 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 2:24 AM on January 12, 2009
Four hours and counting on "Jesus Christ Pose". Oh noes.
posted by unknowncommand at 5:35 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 5:35 AM on January 12, 2009
I can't get the stream to load, but I really don't understand how they can still be at this. I slept through Rock Band loud enough to rouse the dead on New Year's; I can't imagine being about a hundred times more tired and still participating.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:20 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by uncleozzy at 6:20 AM on January 12, 2009
They are on right now interviewing and answering chat questions.
posted by Octoparrot at 7:54 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by Octoparrot at 7:54 AM on January 12, 2009
Looks like they gave up at 510 songs. Still quite the achievement.
posted by Octoparrot at 8:02 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by Octoparrot at 8:02 AM on January 12, 2009
basic dexterity, sure. The drums more-so than any of the others. You're still missing out on the fact that you're learning to play via a very forgiving metronome / electronic drum kit, that isn't really giving you any context. You'll learn to recognize the patterns but you're not really going to have any understanding of how to use it, or why it works.
I suppose that's true of someone with no music experience who picks up the "drums" on Rock Band, but I don't see it as any more true than someone who picks up a drum kit and learns to play it without (even self-)instruction. OTOH, someone like me, with a musical, but non-drum, background, learns to appreciate a different aspect of music, and slots the new knowledge right in alongside that of time signatures, chord progressions (which I can conveniently temporarily forget), etc.. As a matter of fact, it's amazing how clearly memories of things our drummer back in the day was learning, both errors and techniques, and I slot that into the experience, too.
About the only thing missing (aside from a few more things to hit) is the crazy snowballing rhythm effect that mis-paced drumming can create, leading the other band members astray. The only thing that can happen in Rock Band is that the drummer gets off pace on his or her own, which I guess is the "metronome" like quality (or flaw) you mentioned.
I have to say, this is also one of the very few compelling streams I've seen or heard of on the net. Most material is just as compelling in recorded form, to me, but this had a very tangible feel of "live" to it that doesn't leave me so interested to go back and check out. (if it was even recorded; I don't know if it was)
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 10:27 AM on January 12, 2009
I suppose that's true of someone with no music experience who picks up the "drums" on Rock Band, but I don't see it as any more true than someone who picks up a drum kit and learns to play it without (even self-)instruction. OTOH, someone like me, with a musical, but non-drum, background, learns to appreciate a different aspect of music, and slots the new knowledge right in alongside that of time signatures, chord progressions (which I can conveniently temporarily forget), etc.. As a matter of fact, it's amazing how clearly memories of things our drummer back in the day was learning, both errors and techniques, and I slot that into the experience, too.
About the only thing missing (aside from a few more things to hit) is the crazy snowballing rhythm effect that mis-paced drumming can create, leading the other band members astray. The only thing that can happen in Rock Band is that the drummer gets off pace on his or her own, which I guess is the "metronome" like quality (or flaw) you mentioned.
I have to say, this is also one of the very few compelling streams I've seen or heard of on the net. Most material is just as compelling in recorded form, to me, but this had a very tangible feel of "live" to it that doesn't leave me so interested to go back and check out. (if it was even recorded; I don't know if it was)
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 10:27 AM on January 12, 2009
Wasn't recorded for the most part. Supposedly they taped the 500th song and were going to put it up on youtube. Dude is pretty nonresponsive to queries right now, though, so who knows what happened.
posted by unknowncommand at 10:54 AM on January 12, 2009
posted by unknowncommand at 10:54 AM on January 12, 2009
About the only thing missing (aside from a few more things to hit) is the crazy snowballing rhythm effect that mis-paced drumming can create, leading the other band members astray. The only thing that can happen in Rock Band is that the drummer gets off pace on his or her own, which I guess is the "metronome" like quality (or flaw) you mentioned.
I dunno, Durn, I've played Guitar Hero co-op a bit over the last couple weeks and it seems to emulate the tidal wave of badness pretty well-- when the bass player drops enough notes, the resultant janky rhyhtm and missing bass track with string-breaking failure noises tends to cause the lead guitarist to screw up as well.
Assuming, of course, that the lead guitarist isn't suddenly thrown by the bass player going "shit why is my finger on the orange button SHIT SHIT FUCK shit OOPS FUCK" for an entire segment of the song.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:30 AM on January 12, 2009
I dunno, Durn, I've played Guitar Hero co-op a bit over the last couple weeks and it seems to emulate the tidal wave of badness pretty well-- when the bass player drops enough notes, the resultant janky rhyhtm and missing bass track with string-breaking failure noises tends to cause the lead guitarist to screw up as well.
Assuming, of course, that the lead guitarist isn't suddenly thrown by the bass player going "shit why is my finger on the orange button SHIT SHIT FUCK shit OOPS FUCK" for an entire segment of the song.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:30 AM on January 12, 2009
So did they ever beat Jesus Christ Pose? It appears on Twitter as if they just skipped around to a couple of the other songs before giving up. I'm assuming that's accurate, since the next two songs (Ace of Spades and Painkiller) aren't exactly a picnic.
posted by team lowkey at 1:15 PM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 1:15 PM on January 12, 2009
No, the guitarist started fading and when I woke up this morning, the drummer was *still trying* to get the JCP rhythm, but mostly just sitting in front of the webcam looking ridiculously tired. I think the guitarist had long gone to bed.
posted by strangecargo at 1:49 PM on January 12, 2009
posted by strangecargo at 1:49 PM on January 12, 2009
It's a shame to crash so hard in the final stretch, but good on them for getting as far as they did.
posted by team lowkey at 1:57 PM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 1:57 PM on January 12, 2009
Yikes, I'm glad I was at work and missed this, because it doesn't seem pleasant, and given that we JUST added the second guitar to our GH/RB set-up, I didn't need anything harshing my Bemani mellow.
Yeah, that's right f***ers, I still call it Bemani. Wanna fight about it? I'll bludgeon you with one of my copies of Beatmania.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:12 PM on January 12, 2009
Yeah, that's right f***ers, I still call it Bemani. Wanna fight about it? I'll bludgeon you with one of my copies of Beatmania.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:12 PM on January 12, 2009
I bought a Japanese PS2 in 1999 just to play DrumMania. Bemani~4~lyfe.
posted by team lowkey at 3:22 PM on January 12, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 3:22 PM on January 12, 2009
BTW, they're back at it, finishing off the rest of the songs.
posted by team lowkey at 7:10 PM on January 16, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 7:10 PM on January 16, 2009
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They Shoot Rockstars, Don't They?
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